Artest traded for Stojakovic

[baseline bum]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2304512

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers have agreed to trade Ron Artest to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Peja Stojakovic pending league approval, ESPN's Jim Gray has confirmed Tuesday.

The deal closes a chapter in the Pacers' latest drama involving the volatile star forward.

Ron Artest
Small Forward
Indiana Pacers

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
16 19.4 4.9 2.2 45.992 61.157

Kings owners Gavin and Joe Maloof on ESPNEWS would not comment directly on ESPN's report that the Kings pending league approval will trade Peja Stojakovic to the Pacers for Ron Artest.

Artest was a key component to a team that was expected to challenge for the Eastern Conference crown. He led the league in steals and was the Pacers' second-leading scorer at 19.4 points a game before being deactivated after publicly requesting a trade in early December.

In five years with the Pacers, Artest was an All-Star once and was the NBA's defensive player of the year in 2003-04.

Pacers GM Larry Bird said the Pacers had been interested in Corey Maggette of the Los Angeles Clippers, but there was "no question" that Maggette's sprained left foot affected the process. Maggette averaged 21.7 points in 13 games before getting injured in early December.

The Pacers have lost four of their last five games, including Monday to the Atlanta Hawks, who have the NBA's worst record.

[angel_luv]

Indiana got the better of that deal, I think.

[sa_butta]

Indiana got the better of that deal, I think.Definitely,
A head case for a solid shooter, its a no brainer.

[SlasherX]

Time for Kings to Hire a team Psychiatrist

[NZHayden]

wow, i like peja

[Jimcs50]

Indiana got the better of that deal, I think.


no duh.....:)


The Kings fans will be all drinking the grape Kool-Aid in unison at Arco tonight.

[ChumpDumper]

Hopefully Peja gets healthy in time for this trade to actually work for Indy.

[baseline bum]

Indiana got the better of that deal, I think.

I don't know... Peja's playoffs are usually on-par with the Artest's postseason performance from last season.

[sa_butta]

Which is going to seem more weird Peja in a Pacers uni or Artest in a Kings Uni?
Does anyone think that this trade will really push Indy further in the playoffs?

[IceColdBrewski]

Good. Sacramento gets the ticking time-bomb, and Indiana gets a player who sucks in the playoffs, can't make a contested shot, and can't play D.

We won't have to worry about these 2 teams for a while.

[Marklar MM]

Does anyone think that this trade will really push Indy further in the playoffs?

Not a chance. They give up a headcase, but a headcase that could score and defend, and get back a guy that can score, plays little defense, and always chokes against Detroit,(much like Artest) :)

[The_Game]

you have to be a moron to think the pacers got the better end of the deal

Artest >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Peja

Peja is soft and having a terrible year

yes artest is abit of a headcase but he is a great defender and has played very well this year.

this is a steal for the kings

[ducks]

artest said if he went west he would bolt when he is a fa though

[ducks]

and is not peja a fa after this season?

[ChumpDumper]

I hereby nominate the "a bit of a headcase' quote as 2006 understatement of the year.

[SA Gunslinger]

:lol @ Laker Fans. They were so sure they were going to get Artest since he's been seen in LA the last few weeks.

[lilmads]

Poor Bibby and Company!

[IceColdBrewski]

I hereby nominate the "a bit of a headcase' quote as 2006 understatement of the year.

Concur. That's like saying that Terrell Owens caused "a bit of a problem" with the Eagles this season.

[FromWayDowntown]

I'm not sure either team won in this deal. Is it possible for both teams to come up losers? I mean, Indy gets a body to replace Artest's vacant spot on the roster, but Peja has been exposed over and over again as a one-dimensional player who can have that one dimension taken away. Artest is bringing his shenanigans to a sinking ship with a lame-duck coach and no coherent team-building philosophy.

[Sportman]

Indiana got the better of that deal, I think.

Definitly, besides i think this was the key piece that Indiana has been seeking for being among the top teams of the nba.

[nkdlunch]

Artest is a nut, but 10 times the player Peja is now. Not a surprising gamble for those casino-owning Maloufs

[SenorSpur]

Perhaps Peja will open up the floor for O'Neal. However you can bet, the Pacers will be a far worse defensive team, but a more cohesive team, as a result.

Who the hell knows what the Kings are doing?

The big loser in this is Minnesota. They needed help in a big way.

[pache100]

I hereby nominate the "a bit of a headcase' quote as 2006 understatement of the year.

http://i1.tinypic.com/mj76on.gif


Artest is a nut, but 10 times the player Peja is now. Not a surprising gamble for those casino-owning Maloufs

How does that matter if they have to deal with full-bore psychotic drama on a daily basis? Headcases, no matter how talented they are, are generally not consistently effective players. And, by keeping those around them in turmoil (ala Indiana THIS SEASON), they keep them from being an effective team.

[Brutalis]

there was already a thread for this in the different forum.....

[romsey31]

Wow how is the kings gonna deal with bonzi and artest on the same team. But...what if Artest decides to behave and play great ball...that could be scary.

for the pacers now how is Peja gonna deal with the fact that JO went public stating he didnot want him he would prefer to have Bonzi? wow more drama

[Bruno]

Two weeks ago : Jermaine O'Neal interview (http://hoopshype.com/interviews/oneal_nebojsa.htm)

Being here in Sacramento tonight and considering how many trade scenarios involved your team in the last month or so, does having Peja Stojakovic on your team make sense to you, either through a trade or next summer through free agency?

JO: That doesn’t make sense to us, because he doesn’t fit into what we are trying to do. We are a defense-oriented team. He’s more of an offensive player. He’s a great player, but style is everything, and we don’t go up-and-down as Sacramento does. We don’t pass the ball between our legs, we don’t do all that flashy stuff. We are more of a conservative, controlled offensive team. We really rest our hats on the defensive end. Sacramento isn’t really a defensive team. So I think that the style of play will be tougher for him to grasp. My preference is to get a guy who can play defense. You know, like Bonzi Wells or Al Harrington. Those guys really play on both ends of the floor. Stojakovic is great, one of the best offensive players in the league, but defensively, he doesn’t fit in what we’re doing.


Welcome in Pacerland Peja, good luck . :lol :lol :lol

[ChumpDumper]

Well, the good thing is Sacramento didn't have any championship aspirations to ruin.

[JamStone]

I think the Kings got the better end of the deal, but not by much.

Peja is an unrestricted free agent, and many people felt he would not re-sign with the Kings this summer. Ron Artest, while a risk, is still as talented a two-way player in the NBA. There are a lot of "ifs" involved in hypotheticals, but Ron Artest could make the Kings a very good team. Talent-wise, he already makes them more versatile and tougher defensively. While Sacramento got off to a very poor start, Mike Bibby has been playing better lately, and people still have to realize that injuries to Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim have limited the success of the Kings so far this season. A healthy Bonzi Wells, a healthy Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and a controlled Ron Artest make the Sacramento Kings a very dangerous team. They still have to climb out of the hole the built for themselves in the first half, but the team could be very, very good.

The Pacers still didn't make a bad deal. Pacers management made the decision NOT to play Artest. So, they basically got Peja Stojakovic for nothing. If Artest is not playing, he's not producing. Peja immediately adds scoring production to the Pacers. He's also a free agent, so the Pacers have his Bird Rights to re-sign him, or they can use Peja as cap relief or a piece to get another player they covet.

I think it was time that the Pacers made some kind of move with Artest. I think both teams got what they wanted to a certain degree. Maybe not their best possible deals. But, the Kings needed a change and the Pacers needed a change. I still think the Kings got the better end of the deal, however, even if Ron is such a wildcard. A lot of things have to go right for the Kings, but they could be much, much improved.

[mavsfan1000]

Well Peja sucks but maybe a trade will motivate him to get back to his status a couple years ago like Vince Carter. I think it makes sense to the Pacers since they like to play inside out and could use Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson in the low post and it would be hard to double team due to the threat of Peja from the outside. As for the kings they need defense in a bad way. They also need an interior scorer and Artest could be that. It seems to help both teams but I say the Kings it could help more.

[JamStone]

Wow how is the kings gonna deal with bonzi and artest on the same team. But...what if Artest decides to behave and play great ball...that could be scary.

for the pacers now how is Peja gonna deal with the fact that JO went public stating he didnot want him he would prefer to have Bonzi? wow more drama


Two different kinds of crazy.

Bonzi gets all riled up about lack of playing time or lack of touches.

Artest gets all crazy about life, about personal issues.

I don't think that means they can't play together. It might not be easy. But, having two eccentric personalities does not necessarily mean the demise of team chemistry.

I also believe Bonzi gets a bad wrap most of the time.

[ChumpDumper]

I don't think that means they can't play together. It might not be easy. But, having two eccentric personalities does not necessarily mean the demise of team chemistry.Hell yeah!

Sincerely,

Jack n' Ron-Ron

[mavsfan1000]

Having Bonzi and Artest can't hurt chemistry. Ask Rasheed. :lol

[leemajors]

change of scenery could do a lot for both players. if peja doesn't work, he can be dealt or gone next year. seems like it could be good for both sides.

[Rummpd]

I see this as a win for both teams at least in the short term - Kings much better defensively.

Indiana gets to at least know what they are getting (something is better than nothing and PS has been a star in the past. Moroever, he can light it up at least on the occasion ala Miller.

Bird has always been high on him - maybe he sees something we are not seeing and will actually learn some defense with the Pacers.

[Horry For 3!]

Theres is no deal. They just said on ESPN that Pacers rejected because Ron Artest is a little bitch and he said there is no way he will play for the Kings.

[Trainwreck2100]

Sportscenter just reported Sac. rejected the trade, because Artest said he wasn't going to play there

[Horry For 3!]

Ron Artest is a little bitch! He got his chance to play basketball and he acts like a pussy and says NO I WILL NOT PLAY FOR THE KINGS AND I WILL FORCE A TRADE IF I GO THERE

[dknights411]

Tune in tommorow for "All My Artests"

ugh, this guy is getting old...

[romsey31]

DiE SlOw ArTeSt

[bigzak25]

Go Artest! Welcome to Cali brutha. We'll chill. Holla. :tu

[Horry For 3!]

Go Artest! Welcome to Cali brutha. We'll chill. Holla. :tu
Uhhhh, look above. NO DEAL.

[Banks91]

Artest has said he doesn't want to go Sacremento and won't play, so the deal is officially dead as of now

[IceColdBrewski]

http://www.kingstalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=6135&st=100

:lol

[dknights411]

ESPN just aired a confused Rick Carlisle saying that there was no deal. Poor guy needs a hug.

[picnroll]

Somebody in Sac give Peja a hug, quick.

[Spurminator]

Wow...

[Cool2LOVE]

Uhhhh, look above. NO DEAL.


Good. Pop still has a chance to save face. Get the deal DONE POP!!!

send them our defensive ace, Rasho Nesterovic! :lol

[Bruno]

This story become funny. :spin

[Frenchise player]

Even when he doesn't play, Artest finds a way to ruin a team chemistry.
I can't imagine how the Kings will handle Peja now.
They were fools to anounce that trade before even speaking to Artest.

[Rick Von Braun]

I think the Kings got the better end of the deal, but not by much.

Peja is an unrestricted free agent, and many people felt he would not re-sign with the Kings this summer. Ron Artest, while a risk, is still as talented a two-way player in the NBA. There are a lot of "ifs" involved in hypotheticals, but Ron Artest could make the Kings a very good team. Talent-wise, he already makes them more versatile and tougher defensively. While Sacramento got off to a very poor start, Mike Bibby has been playing better lately, and people still have to realize that injuries to Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim have limited the success of the Kings so far this season. A healthy Bonzi Wells, a healthy Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and a controlled Ron Artest make the Sacramento Kings a very dangerous team. They still have to climb out of the hole the built for themselves in the first half, but the team could be very, very good.

The Pacers still didn't make a bad deal. Pacers management made the decision NOT to play Artest. So, they basically got Peja Stojakovic for nothing. If Artest is not playing, he's not producing. Peja immediately adds scoring production to the Pacers. He's also a free agent, so the Pacers have his Bird Rights to re-sign him, or they can use Peja as cap relief or a piece to get another player they covet.

I think it was time that the Pacers made some kind of move with Artest. I think both teams got what they wanted to a certain degree. Maybe not their best possible deals. But, the Kings needed a change and the Pacers needed a change. I still think the Kings got the better end of the deal, however, even if Ron is such a wildcard. A lot of things have to go right for the Kings, but they could be much, much improved.Nice analysis. :tu

[Spurminator]

So now that Peja's probably sore, do the Kings go ahead and hold onto his expiring contract or deal him? Say, for a Slovenian or two... :lol

[exstatic]

Oops. Nevermind.

Couldn't he be held in breach of contract if he didn't report?

[Viva Las Espuelas]

artest is the biggest fucking idiot in the whole entire world. he said he didnt want to play for the kings. what a sorry sack of shit. everybody in the nba should put their foot in his ass all at the same time. what a selfish prick.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

by the way, the trade is off. it's breaking on espn.com

[SequSpur]

Oops. Nevermind.

Couldn't he be held in breach of contract if he didn't report?


I don't think Artest gives a shit about his contract. :lol

I say good for Artest.. If he doesn't want to move to Sacramento then good for him.

Professional sports teams think they can just send players without their say so....

Good for him.

[Vashner]

you have to be a moron to think the pacers got the better end of the deal

Artest >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Peja

Peja is soft and having a terrible year

yes artest is abit of a headcase but he is a great defender and has played very well this year.

this is a steal for the kings

Artest what? Nothing but trouble.. no rings.. no fucking nothing.. he is not better then Peja..

You don't need a player what won't do what he's fucking told to do.

That's bullshit.... for the millions fucking bullshit.

[exstatic]

Professional sports teams think they can just send players without their say so....
What color is the sky in your very short world?:lol

[Marklar MM]

What color is the sky in your very short world?:lol

Technically, the sky is not blue in my book.

[PM5K]

http://www.kingstalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=6135&st=100

:lol

Most annoying website ever, effin this effin that, say fuck for fucks sake.

I'm sure it's a banned word on that forum but reading effin over and over is irritating as fuck...

[Brutalis]

:lmao :lmao :lmao

Artest is done playing basketball I hope.

[SA Gunslinger]

WTF?

Great. Laker Fan has hope again.

[missmyzte]

I hate to say it and I really don't want Artest on the Lakers, but he really would help the team a lot ....

[Brutalis]

I hope he does goto the Lakers. I'd love to see an Artest/Bryant fight, it'd be a good one. Although KB would own the kid.

[picnroll]

Artest would kick the living crap out of Kobe.

[MannyIsGod]

I don't think Artest gives a shit about his contract. :lol

I say good for Artest.. If he doesn't want to move to Sacramento then good for him.

Professional sports teams think they can just send players without their say so....

Good for him.Yeah I agree, thats so fucked up. Who do they think they are? Those contracts don't mean shit!

[Rummpd]

It may be back on in this nutty NBA world - see new story at espn.com!

[gospursgojas]

Artest has a meeting with pacers tommorrow morn to see if the deal can still work... :lol

[ducks]

Pacers want to talk to Artest; Stojakovic 'disrespected'
By Chris Sheridan
ESPN Insider

Ron Artest has been summoned to a Wednesday morning meeting by the Indiana Pacers, who want to hear from the player himself on whether he is standing in the way of a trade to the Sacramento Kings for Peja Stojakovic, ESPN.com learned Tuesday night.

Peja Stojakovic
Stojakovic

Ron Artest
Artest

Artest and his agent were expected to meet Wednesday morning in Indianapolis with team executives Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh with the hopes the trade can be revived.

The Pacers and Kings were close to a deal Tuesday, and Stojakovic stayed at the team hotel in Philadelphia when it appeared the trade would be finalized. But a source with inner knowledge of the day's events said a call from Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, to the Kings gave them second thoughts about pulling the trigger, and the deal was temporarily shelved.

"The way I was treated today, I was disappointed," Stojakovic told ESPN.com in Philadelphia. "I feel kind of disrespected with the way I found out. Thank God they have TVs here. I understand being traded, but this is situation is weird. I had already planned my flight back to Sacramento, and now everything is reversed.

"I guess this is just a business, but the way I was told and the way I found out, I feel I deserved better from [Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof]. Anybody can get traded in the NBA, but the way I found out, it was disrespectful. I deserve better after seven and a half years."

Stojakovic was expected to travel to New York with the Kings for their game Wednesday night against the Knicks, but there remained a possibility the trade would be revived in the morning. Artest told The Indianapolis Star there was a possibility something still could happen.

"There's no deal," Artest told the newspaper by telephone. "It's not that I don't want to play there ... I'm letting my agent handle things. He's taken over things." Artest told the Star he is not against a trade but would like to be involved in negotiations.

"I just want to meet with team officials of whichever team I'm headed to," he said in a story posted on the newspaper's Web site. "I want to play, but I'm following the rules I have to follow. If I have to sit out, I sit out the season."

The deal would have ended a lengthy standoff between the Pacers and Artest, who was banished from the team in December after requesting a trade and was suspended most of last season for his role in one of the worst brawls in U.S. sports history.

Before the deal apparently broke down, Kings players were already talking about the trade as if it was a done deal.

"Peja will be missed," Kings forward Corliss Williamson said. "He's been in Sacramento for a lot of years, but life goes on in the NBA.

"We'll welcome Ron Artest with open arms and hope he'll be able to help us. You always hear about the situations he's been in and all the hype. Maybe this is the change he needs, to come into our system and flourish."

Artest was a key component to a team that was expected to challenge for the Eastern Conference crown. He led the league in steals and was the Pacers' second-leading scorer at 19.4 points a game before being deactivated after publicly requesting a trade in early December.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[milkyway21]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Sacramento Kings could've used either Ron Artest or Peja Stojakovic against Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Iverson scored 41 points and Chris Webber had 17 points and 13 rebounds, leading Philadelphia to a 109-103 victory over undermanned Sacramento on Tuesday night.

The Kings were without Stojakovic because he stayed back at the hotel after the team reportedly agreed to send him to Indiana for Artest earlier in the day. However, the trade fell through, though Artest left open the possibility that something could still happen. The volatile forward was deactivated by the Pacers in December after requesting a trade.

"I had no control over any of it," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "I didn't have Peja. I told them to play with the hand you're dealt."

Mike Bibby had a career-high 44 points and Kevin Martin added 20 as the Kings lost their third straight game. Sacramento has won at least 55 games in four straight seasons, but is last in the Pacific Division.

"As far as distractions go, not having Peja was the biggest thing," Bibby said. "We still don't know what's going on."

The Kings visit the New York Knicks on Wednesday, but Adelman wasn't sure about Stojakovic's status.

"I have a lot of faith in Peja," Adelman said. "He's meant a lot to me and this franchise. He's been a pro his whole career."

The Sixers have won three in a row, improving to 21-20 at the halfway point of the season. Philadelphia, which came in allowing the third-most points in the NBA, reverted back to its usual form on defense after consecutive solid efforts.

The Sixers held Memphis and Minnesota to under 90 points each, but allowed the Kings to shoot 47.6 percent.

"We've gotten a little bit better on the defensive end," coach Maurice Cheeks said. "Tonight wasn't one of our best defensive efforts, but if we're going to making a move, we'll have to do it on the defensive end."

Playing in front of his father, Sixers assistant coach Henry Bibby, Mike Bibby put on a shooting clinic in the second half. He made six straight shots in one stretch and was 12-of-14 after going 5-of-11 in the first half.

Sacramento trailed by 10 early in the fourth, but got within 93-90 on a 3-pointer by Bibby. After a jumper by Webber, Bibby hit another 3 to make it 95-93.

With Sacramento trailing 99-97, Andre Iguodala knocked the ball out of Bibby's hands, off his leg and out of bounds. Iguodala then hit a 3-pointer to give the Sixers a 102-97 lead with 1:58 left. Webber made two free throws in the final minute to seal the win over his former team.

"I feel good about how we're trying to get better defensively," Iverson said. "We're nowhere near where we want to be, but I like the effort."

At one point in the second quarter, the Sixers went 6:29 without a basket while missing nine straight shots. But their 9-point lead only shrunk to 39-34 during that stretch.

The Kings cut it to 44-43, but Philadelphia scored the next six points to take a 50-43 halftime lead.

Sacramento center Brad Miller, averaging 14.8 points and 8.1 rebounds, missed all eight of his shots and finished with two points and one rebound in 32 minutes.

Notes: Sixers reserve forward Lee Nailon wasn't in uniform because he was arrested Tuesday after a domestic dispute, according to the team. ... Bibby's previous career-high was 42 against Orlando on Jan. 15. ... The Kings are in the middle of a season-high six-game road trip. ... The Sixers won both meetings to sweep the season series after being swept the previous four years. ... All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins won a free-throw shooting contest among five Phillies players after the third quarter.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/nba/01/24/bc.bkn.kings.76ers.ap/index.html

I wonder :angel what former King Chris Webber thinking about the issue while playing vs the Kings? He almost had the same fate last yr.

meanwhile, this Brad Miller missing, all of his shots last night? was it bec of Artest(his former Pacer teammate), coming to Sacramento? I don't really know [B]if these two -Brad And Ron are buddies or what. :rolleyes

what a mess.:D

[MrChug]

Good for both teams short term. Feel horrible for the Kings long term. :(

[nkdlunch]

Most annoying website ever, effin this effin that, say fuck for fucks sake.

I'm sure it's a banned word on that forum but reading effin over and over is irritating as fuck...

yeah, check out kingstalk for a good laugh.


Artest would kick the living crap out of Kobe.

:lol so true

[101A]

Have now both players become even cheaper on the trade market?

Ron Ron was already a "bargain" in terms of talent - Now how little would a team be willing to give up to "get" him?

AND

Now Peja is useless as a King, having been severly disrespected.

Somebody's getting a head case, and somebody's getting a shooter w/in two weeks.

[Manu20]

Updated: Jan. 25, 2006, 3:19 PM ET
Pacers talk to Artest; Stojakovic 'disrespected'

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2304942

Ron Artest met Wednesday with Indiana Pacers officials to discuss a possible trade to the Sacramento Kings for Peja Stojakovic.

"They said they were going to try to get something sorted out to get the trade done," Artest told the Indianapolis Star by phone as he drove away from the meeting at Canseco Fieldhouse. Artest told the Star it was a good meeting, but that there was "no trade right now."

Artest also denied he wouldn't go to the Kings.

"I'll go anywhere," Artest told the Star. "I just want to get back on the basketball court and start playing again."

ESPN's Jim Gray reported Wednesday after the meeting that Artest has agreed to be traded, but that Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof now want to talk to Artest before finalizing any trade.

On Tuesday, his agent was more guarded about the prospect of Artest playing in Sacramento.

"In the last month, Ron Artest has been vehemently portrayed in an unflattering manner in the media, specifically in the aftermath of requesting a trade, even after it was made clear that he only spoke out because he believed the Pacers were going to trade him to Sacramento, a place he did not want to go to," Mark Stevens said in a statement to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on Tuesday night. "Now it has become evident that this trade was not merely speculation but something that has been at least discussed for quite some time.

"Ron Artest did not want to be traded to Sacramento weeks ago, and he does not want to be traded to Sacramento now.

"Basketball is Ron Artest's passion. In order for Ron to fully demonstrate his natural skills and abilities, to the best of his abilities, he not only must be in an environment that is conducive to his growth an development as a player, he must also ensure that his family is happy and content as well. Ron does not believe that will be the case if he were in Sacramento. Period. However, as mentioned earlier, Ron is deeply committed to the sport of basketball and desperately misses playing the game he loves. If the trade is made he will play for his new team, regardless of how he may feel about it."

Stevens told ESPN's Greg Anthony that he thought Artest needed a stable situation with strong leadership, and that the uncertainty about both Kings coach Rick Adelman's future and the Kings' future in Sacramento indicated a lack of stability that would be uncomfortable for Artest.

Likewise, National Basketball Players Association executive director Billy Hunter told Anthony that Artest had not refused to report to Sacramento, although he had told Hunter of his reservations about the potential trade. Hunter expressed concern about reports that the Pacers might attempt to suspend Artest for playing a role in the Kings' rejection of the trade. Hunter told Anthony that Artest was not culpable for the possible dissolution of the deal because he had expressed that he would accept the trade.

The Pacers and Kings were close to a deal Tuesday, and Stojakovic stayed at the team hotel in Philadelphia when it appeared the trade would be finalized. But a source with inner knowledge of the day's events told Sheridan a call from Stevens to the Kings gave them second thoughts about pulling the trigger, and the deal was temporarily shelved.

"The way I was treated today, I was disappointed," Stojakovic told ESPN.com in Philadelphia. "I feel kind of disrespected with the way I found out. Thank God they have TVs here. I understand being traded, but this situation is weird. I had already planned my flight back to Sacramento, and now everything is reversed.

"I guess this is just a business, but the way I was told and the way I found out, I feel I deserved better from [Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof]. Anybody can get traded in the NBA, but the way I found out, it was disrespectful. I deserve better after seven and a half years."

Stojakovic rode the team bus on the two-hour trip to New York after arriving by limo at the Wachovia Center during the second half of Sacramento's 109-103 loss to Philadelphia. He attended the team meeting on Wednesday morning as the Kings prepared to face the New York Knicks.

A source told Sheridan that the efforts to rekindle the deal were ongoing Wednesday and extended all the way to the ownership level on both teams.

Artest was a key component to a team that was expected to challenge for the Eastern Conference crown. He led the league in steals and was the Pacers' second-leading scorer at 19.4 points a game before being deactivated after publicly requesting a trade in early December.

Stojakovic has been having an unproductive, injury-hampered season for the last-place Kings, whose loss Tuesday was their third in a row. Stojakovic's scoring average is down almost eight points from his All-Star level of two years ago, and the Kings are at risk of losing him with nothing in return when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Indiana has been holding out for more than six weeks for an offer that it deems acceptable. A proposed swap for Corey Maggette fell through because of the Pacers' concerns over Maggette's foot injury, and talks with several other Western Conference teams failed to produce a deal that pleased all parties.

If the Artest trade ultimately falls apart, the Kings will be facing an uncomfortable dynamic with Stojakovic, who has never been traded in his NBA career. During his 10-minute interview with ESPN.com, he seemed bewildered and embittered by the day's events. The two-hour bus ride to Manhattan promised to be an uncomfortable one for Stojakovic and his Kings teammates, who, two hours earlier, thought they wouldn't see him again until the next time they faced the Pacers.